Homemade Gifts By Feel

For those who don’t feel totally confident in their holiday cookie cooking, I’m sharing some alternative (and less time intensive) gift-giving ideas. These are a few possibilities you can match up with people’s personalities, or maybe your own mood!

For example, homemade hot cider is a wonderful option for anyone who gives off healthy, organic vibes. You can either use fresh apples and make a batch from scratch, or save time and just spruce up store-bought stuff. If you don’t have canning equipment, present the cider in a pretty plastic container with a note that indicates it can be stored in the fridge for about a week, or frozen for longer.

A recipient with a sweet tooth might enjoy a small tin of Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, and this just may be the easiest recipe of all time. Beyond that, it’s rich and decadent – perfect for anyone with a taste for the finer things.

Finally – the easiest gift of all, but still a goodie. Buy a pretty jar and fill it up with loose leaf tea. I love Davidson’s (I have a cup of their peppermint tea just about every night, it helps me relax). All their varieties are fantastic, and very well priced. Just pour some loose leaf tea into a jar and maybe throw in a $2-$3 tea ball. You probably only need to think about a person for about three seconds to know if this is their style, or not.

Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.

If you want to jar the cider, here’s some information on water bath canning. If that’s a bit too involved, present the cider in a freezable plastic container with a note indicating that it can be refrigerated for about a week, or frozen for longer. Note – when storing, do not include the orange slices or cinnamon sticks.